Stirrings Simple Margarita Cocktail Mix

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Ratio: 3 ounces mix with 1.5 ounces tequila

Real cane sugar, fresh juice and real fruit are certainly things we look for in a quality drink mixer, and Stirrings doesn’t disappoint. The flavor is light with citrusy after notes, likely from the triple sec flavor. It wasn’t as sweet as the other margarita mixes we tasted and was even less limey. Its key lime juice flavor set it apart from the other mixes that were all lime.

We particularly liked that the Stirrings Simple Margarita wasn’t sugar forward, but rather a little more subtle and “clean” tasting. Its glass packaging was also very nice and sleek—it made us feel like we were enjoying a high-end product even though it only cost $7.

Available in a wide assortment of cocktail mixes from Lemon Drop to Cosmopolitan and Peach Bellini.

Ripe Bar Juice Agave Margarita Mix

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Ratio: 2 ounces mix to 1 ounce tequila

This margarita mix had an orangey aftertaste compared to all the others. It tasted fresh and similar to a margarita we’d make at home with Cointreau. We loved that the ingredients were all real and simple: water, lime juice, agave nectar, and orange juice.

Tres Agaves Margarita Mix Organic Mix

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Ratio: 3 ounces mix to 2 ounces of tequila

Even though these package instructions recommended the largest ratio of tequila to mix, the tequila could barely be tasted. The mix balanced out the flavor very well and made us want to keep drinking. It contained the most juice out of any of the mixes we tasted at 48%. Its flavor was sharp and pleasant—perfect for the lime lovers out there. With some salt around the rim, we might be convinced to compromise our own recipe for convenience in this case.

Also available in Strawberry Margarita and Bloody Mary.

Taste tester quotes

“Really delicious. Doesn’t taste like artificial flavor.”

“It feels like, ok, cool. I juiced a lot of limes, mixed it with a little bit of orange and agave and came up with this awesome mix.”

Cuervo Classic Lime Margarita Mix

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Ratio: 4.5 ounces mix to 1.5 ounces tequila

This mix complemented the tequila flavor the best. It didn’t hide it or mask it, it accentuated it. The Cuervo Classic Margarita mix was simple and traditional, like its name suggested. It was a little more viscous than the others and left behind a slight mouthfeel. It also seemed to contain an ingredient that was slightly bitter—our guess was shaved or toasted agave. Either way, we liked it.

Also available in Strawberry Margarita and Original.

Taste tester quotes

“It tastes the most like tequila to me.”

“It doesn’t taste like artificial sweetener and it doesn’t have a bad aftertaste.”

Mr. & Mrs. T’s Original Margarita Mix

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Ratio: 4 ounces mix to 1 ounce tequila

This unsuspecting mix was one of our top contenders. It tasted very similar to a margarita you’d get at a fast-food Mexican restaurant. The packaging called for only 1 oz of tequila to 4 oz of tequila, which would be ideal for the non-tequila fans out there. We, however, bumped up the tequila and were happy with the results. It was light and not cloyingly sweet. It also smelled like Sprite and reminded us of that lemon-lime flavor.

Also available in Light, Strawberry Daiquiri and Bloody Mary

Taste tester quotes

“I want to add more tequila so it tastes like I’m drinking a margarita.”

Margaritaville Margarita Mix

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Photo by Nicole Papantoniou

Ratio: 4 ounces mix to 1.5 ounces tequila

While balanced in flavor from lime to sweet, this mix was on the more sugary side. The first sip was very sharp but leveled out after. It had some tropical notes such as coconut. The Margaritaville Margarita Mix became a little frothy when we shook it, adding an extra layer. We can picture drinking it frozen and blended by a pool somewhere.